Chapter 3
Chapter Three
SADIE
“Where am I? I think I’m lost.” I try to scramble out from under his desk, but his long legs and giant thighs are in the way.
Eventually, he steps back and gives me room to get to my feet.
“How’d I get here? Did you kidnap me or something?
” I lie right through my perfectly straight teeth that took three years of braces.
The man reaches for the lamp that’s sitting on his desk, and for a second I’m blind when the light comes on.
“You don’t know exactly how you got under my desk?” His eyes go up and down my body. “And you’re dressed in all black?” He tugs on the back of my hood so it comes off and he can get a better look at my face. “You’re a fuckin’ kid.”
“Hey, I’m twenty one.” I brush away the curls that escaped my bun. I purposely pulled them up so they’d stay out of the way. It’s the freckles that are sprinkled across my nose that give people the impression I’m younger than I am.
This Ari guy takes my backpack right off me, and I’m not quick enough to stop him.
“Hey, that’s stealing.” Okay, so maybe that’s what I was doing, but it’s not fair. I’m built small, and he’s a freaking giant.
He pauses, and then his eyes meet mine. “You’re accusing me of stealing?
” His lips twitch, and I don’t get what’s so funny.
“How did you get in here?” He unzips my bag and takes a look inside.
“Do you break into places a lot?” He pulls out one of my tool kits, and I might as well keep on lying.
He doesn't sound like he believes me, but he hasn’t called the cops yet.
“Sometimes those pesky locks get in the way. I mean, I had to pee, and this was the closest bathroom I saw when I was walking by.”
“I thought I kidnapped you.” He raises a brow and smirks.
“Well, now you have.” Technically he’s blocking my path.
“And the bathroom was under my desk?”
“I heard a noise and got scared. I don’t know if you’re aware, but the city can be a dangerous place.”
“Is it? That's why little girls shouldn’t be roaming around alone at night.”
“I'm twenty-one. Do you have short-term memory loss? You should probably speak to a doctor about that.” I try to step around him, but he’s quicker.
“There isn’t much to steal from here, at least in the way of cash.” He’s not letting me leave until he knows why I’m here.
“No, but I bet the secrets you keep are worth a lot.” I can’t help my smugness. What is wrong with me? I should be pleading for this guy to let me go and not call the police and have me arrested.
“Sit.” He drops my bag down onto his desk before he plucks me off my feet like a doll and places me in his giant chair. My feet never meet the ground. “Don’t move.” The snarky response I had on the tip of my tongue dies, and I swallow hard. He’s bossy, and for some reason. it’s hot.
He’s the enemy, I remind myself, and I will not allow him to seduce me with his manliness. Not to mention that one dimple he’s got in his left cheek. If he ever fully smiled, would one appear in the right cheek too?
“Of fucking course,” he mutters when he finds something. I try to lean forward to see what he’s looking for, but I’m not paying attention.
“Ah!” I let out a small scream when I fall off the chair, but Ari is quick to catch me.
“I thought I told you not to move.” He sounds annoyed as he plops me down in the chair again.
“You’re not the boss of me.” I fold my arms over my chest. Why can’t I stop trying to push this man’s buttons? When I looked up the Reins Detective Agency, his picture along with his two brothers was on there. From the looks of it, he’s the oldest and the hottest.
“I think right now I’m very much the boss of you.” He gives me a stern glare, and although I think it’s meant to scare me, my body is not having the correct reactions. Ari is firm and direct, and it’s different than I’m used to.
“Whatever shall you do with me?” I lean back in the chair, letting my legs swing back and forth. This is going to play out one of two ways: Ari is going to let me go or call the police.
From what I could find on the Reins Detective Agency, they seem completely by the book, but you never know.
Even if they are, it doesn't mean they don’t have something on my father.
I don’t think my dad has any dark secrets, but I could be wrong.
His judgment at one time was horrible because he married my mom, but then I guess he got me, so that could be a small plus.
I can’t read his expression to try and make a guess, and I also can’t make a run for it. He has my ID in his hand, which was a rookie move. Why the hell did I bring my ID? At least I turned off my phone. I’ve learned that much from crime shows.
“You’re a Delanito.” He cocks his head to the side, and I'm sure it’s to measure me up against my mother.
I might have some of her features and coloring, but I didn’t get her body. She’s got curves in all the right places with legs that go on forever. I’ve got small features and no ass or boobs to speak of. I’m sure it’s why Ari was surprised when he realized I was a girl and not a young boy.
“I am.” I might not be proud to be my mother’s child, but I am proud to be my dad’s. “I want everything you have on my dad.”
“You do realize I’m the one holding all the cards.”
I let out a sigh and drop my shoulders.
“Besides, not all the information is here. If you want, I could take you to it.”
This sounds like a trap.
I’ve never been good at avoiding them, so why start now?